Carol M. Smith Graganta Obituary (1925 - 2009)

Born Feb 28, 1925, Carol M. Smith Graganta attended Charlevoix High School in Charlevoix, MI. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Carol M. Smith Graganta.

Graduation Year	Class of 1942
Date of Birth	Feb 28, 1925
Date of Passing	Apr 28, 2009
About	Carol Graganta Obituary Graganta, Carol M. Ann Arbor, MI Age 84, died April 28, 2009, surrounded by family. She was born Carol May Smith, youngest child of Harrison L. and Mayme (Stafford) Smith, on February 28, 1925 in Bay Township, Charlevoix County, MI. Carol grew up on the family farm near Petoskey and graduated from Charlevoix High School. After moving to Ann Arbor, she graduated from the Alexandria School of Cosmetology in 1944. Carol married Nicholas B. Graganta in 1945. They had been married for more than 50 years when he passed away in 1996. Carol was a homemaker who took good care of her family and home. She was an excellent cook and skilled at a variety of crafts. She sewed much of her own clothing and enjoyed quilting, especially the Cathedral Window design. She was very independent. She hung her own wallpaper, painted woodwork around the house, did yard work and had a green thumb for plants. Carol was a Red Cross volunteer who earned several gallon pins for her own blood donations. She also served as a polling place volunteer for local, state and national elections. She enjoyed trips with her husband to England, France, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Morocco, Mexico, the Bahamas, Las Vegas and Hawaii, as well as senior trips to locations closer to home. Carol was an avid walker who also worked out nightly on her Nordic Trak and was a regular participant in her exercise class and walking club. She read books about health and educated herself to serve as primary caregiver for her husband during his illnesses. Carol faced her own final illness with grace and good humor. The family is grateful to the caregivers at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Select Specialty Hospital and Howell Care Center for the kindness and compassionate care they provided, and to all who supported Carol during her illness with cards, phone calls and prayers. Carol was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and her brother, Charles C. Smith. Survivors include her daughters Sharon Graganta of Chelsea, MI, and Shirley (Raymond) Iglesias of Reading, PA; sister Georgia Labunes of Ann Arbor; grandson Louis (Tina) Iglesias and three great-grandchildren of Charlotte, NC; cousins Linda and Michael Stein of Midland, MI; cat Mama Kitty; and many other relatives and friends. A memorial service will take place on Saturday, May 9, 2009 at 11 a.m. at Muehlig Funeral Chapel in Ann Arbor, with visitation at 10 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Red Cross or the Humane Society of Huron Valley.